The statement mentions a "major team announcement." The Chicago Tribune reports it will be an extension to the coach's contract, which runs through the 2013-14 season.

"It's always good to get those things done in the summertime and sort of clear the deck to focus on hockey starting in the fall," general manager Stan Bowman told the newspaper July 12.

Quenneville last month coached the Blackhawks to their second Stanley Cup championship in four seasons, a six-game victory against the Boston Bruins.

He joined the Blackhawks in 2008-09 and is 222-106-44 with Chicago. He also was coach of the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche and has a career record of 660-389-77.

"We certainly like being here," Quenneville told the Chicago Sun Times earlier this month. "We've liked our time here in Chicago. It's been a lot of thrills, a lot of excitement. We like everything surrounding the quality of life and being part of the sporting situation in town. We love the organization. There are a lot of positives in all aspects of being here. Hopefully things can work out."

He's only 17 but he can see the ice so well and he moves the puck and goes to the open ice all the time, so I just think he's a player that is ready to play in the NHL. I'm really looking forward to coaching someone like this.

— U.S. National Junior Team coach Ron Wilson on Auston Matthews, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft